Education

RICHMOND — The State Board for Community Colleges has certified four finalists for the position of president at Wytheville Community College.

A series of public forums is set April 6-9 for interactions with individual candidates. Each session is 3-4 p.m. in Snyder Auditorium at WCC. A 10-minute presentation by the candidate each day will be followed by a question and answer session

HILLSVILLE — Due to a drastic drop in enrollment, the Carroll County School Board has passed a budget for the 2015-2016 school year that could result in the loss of up to 19 positions in the school system.

HILLSVILLE — Hillsville Town Council will support the Carroll County School Board’s resolution to install a set of flashing lights at Carroll County Middle School.

School Board Chairman Brian Spencer and Vice Chairman Joey Haynes presented the idea at council’s March 9 meeting, and explained that they had contacted the Virginia Department of Transportation with their request.

INDEPENDENCE — A hot topic over the last few months at Grayson County School Board meetings has been about the amount of time staff members throughout the division are allowed to take off.

Shannon Holdaway, vice chairman of the school board, has expressed multiple times that — while he understands the two issues are separate — he feels the county is penalizing parents for keeping students home from school, but allowing employees to take time away from the classroom for illness.

INDEPENDENCE – Citizens packed the room March 9 as the Grayson County School Board continued its discussion of where to make cuts to balance the budget – but most left with the same questions they had before the meeting.

Facing more than $3.4 million in reductions for next year’s budget – mostly due to a continued drop in student enrollment – school board members have been looking everywhere to cut costs and save as many jobs as possible.

HILLSVILLE — Due to a decline in student enrollment and a lack of state funding, the Carroll County School Board will be forced this year to consider cutting 13 to 15 staff positions within the school system for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget.

INDEPENDENCE – Concerned citizens, parents and administrators took time to speak to the Grayson County School Board during the public comments portion of the board’s regular meeting on March 9, as board members continue to discuss where to cut the education budget.

The board is facing more than $3.4 million in cuts for next year’s budget, mostly due to a drop in enrollment.

In addition to potentially cutting 20 staff positions, the board is looking at options that could close some county schools and move students to those kept open:

INDEPENDENCE – Employees of Grayson County Public Schools who won’t be retained for next year will likely find out within the next month.

Division Superintendent Kevin Chalfant – along with Finance Director Norma Quesinberry and Director of Personnel Judy Greear – provided the school board with an updated budget during the second work session Monday night.

Chalfant pointed out that legislatures have wrapped up their budget sessions and an approved budget has been sent to the governor.